[Adopted by Ord. No. 195-76 (Ch. XII, Sec. 12-1, of the 1986 Revised General Ordinances)]
[Amended by Ord. No. 324-84]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AGENT
Any duly authorized representative of the owner.
CUSTOMER
Any owner, agent or occupant who is responsible for the payment of fees specified herein.
DEVELOPER
Any person extending a main to provide a water supply to service one or more properties.
EXTENSION
The extension of a water main along a street, avenue, highway, or right-of-way. An extension shall not include the water service connection as herein defined.
LIEN
The charges of any nature levied by the Water Department arising out of any charge resulting from installation, service or distribution of water which are declared to be a lien against the property served by virtue of the statute in such case made and provided.
MAIN or MAINS
Shall be construed, either in the singular or plural, to mean all pipes and lines, including valves, valve boxes, fittings and appurtenances, other than service connections, conveying water to or distributing water from the Township water supply.
OWNER
The owner of the property receiving or seeking to receive or having available to it water service from the Township water supply system.
PRIVATE HYDRANT
A fire hydrant located upon private property and privately owned.
PRIVATE MAIN
A main running through private property or in a private street to serve more than one home or other buildings or properties.
PUBLIC HYDRANT
A fire hydrant under the control of the Township located on a right-of-way of the Township or Township property.
SERVICE CONNECTIONS
"Service connection" or "service pipe or service line connections" shall mean a pipe or pipes connected to a main and extending thence to a privately owned property or premises.
SHALL; MAY
Shall is mandatory; may is permissive.
SUPERINTENDENT
The person retained by the Township Council as the qualified licensed Superintendent of the Water Department and who shall be charged with the responsibility and authorized to carry out the provisions as contained in this article.
WATER DEPARTMENT
A. 
All the property, operation of the water supply system and distribution system and each and every part thereof, collectively or separately, functioning under the direction of the Township Water Department, a public utility created by the Township either directly or by its duly authorized representatives or agents.
B. 
"Water Department" shall also mean the Division of Water in the Department of Public Works, as the Division is defined and established by an ordinance entitled "An Ordinance Establishing a Department of Public Works in the Township of Mine Hill, Morris County, New Jersey" (codified as Chapter 74, Public Works, Department of), as modified and reestablished by the Administrative Code of the Township, "Ordinances Establishing an Administrative Code for the Township of Mine Hill in the County of Morris" (codified as Chapter 7, Administrative Code).
A. 
All mains and appurtenances, service pipes and appurtenances from main to curb shutoff, public fire hydrants, valve and curb boxes, meter, meter yokes, remote registers and related wiring shall be under the control of the Water Department and its authorized agents and employees, and all other persons are forbidden to disturb, tamper with, injure, change, obstruct access to or interfere with the water mains and appurtenances, service pipes from main to property line, corporation stops, curb stops and boxes in any way, except as noted in § 533-14J.
B. 
No persons shall operate or tamper with valves, curb shutoffs, meters and accessories or fire hydrants except employees or authorized agents of the Water Department.
C. 
All persons applying for a service installation or applying for the use of water or receiving a supply from the Mine Hill Water Department shall be subject to these rules and regulations as set forth herein.
[Amended by Ord. No. 324; Ord. No. 337-85; Ord. No. 339-85]
A. 
A "service" is defined as the pipe through which water is supplied or conveyed to the structure or point at which it is used. The portion between the main and the curb shutoff is owned and maintained by the Water Department. The portion beyond the curb shutoff is owned and maintained by the property owner.
B. 
Prior to the installation of any service, the owner of the property to be served shall file an application for water service and pay the applicable service connection, installation and inspection fees as specified below. These fees shall be paid in advance.
C. 
No service shall be less than 3/4 inch in diameter. It is the owner's responsibility to determine the correct size. It is not the Water Department's responsibility to recommend the size for a service. The Water Department shall not be liable for inadequate-sized services nor the replacement thereof.
D. 
Two types of new services are recognized for purposes of this article:
(1) 
Services installed by the Water Department.
(2) 
Services installed by a developer.
E. 
Services installed by the Water Department or by a developer may be used only after application for water service has been made by the owner of each property seeking to use the water services of the Township, and the payment by each such owner of the applicable service connection, installation and inspection fees as specified below.
F. 
Water service connection fees and other fees shall be as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees, and shall be paid by the owner of each property applying for Township water services prior to the connection to the system.
[Amended 3-21-1991 by Ord. No. 453-91; 4-19-2012 by Ord. No. 11-12[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
G. 
The material for service pipe on either the Water Department's or owner's side shall be as required under the New Jersey UCC, provided that galvanized and asbestos cement pipe is prohibited for use for water services.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
H. 
Services shall be, as far as practical, installed at right angles to the main and in a straight line to the meter. There shall be no connection from the service, before the meter, from which water can be drawn.
I. 
Only flared or compression joints may be used on copper tubing, and the number of joints shall be the minimum possible. Soldered joints are expressly prohibited for buried service. Service pipe shall be installed only through the property of the owner unless a recorded easement or right-of-way is provided and approved by the Township Council.
J. 
Services shall not be laid in sewer trenches unless shelved into a wall of the trench and two feet higher than the sewer pipe.
K. 
All service pipes shall have a minimum of four feet of cover.
L. 
A separate service shall be provided for each individual dwelling.
A. 
The service between the main and curb shutoff is the property of and under the sole control of the Mine Hill Water Department.
B. 
The Water Department is not responsible for trenches or pavement restoration in cases involving excavation by developers, plumbers, or agents of the owner, even though the Water Department may have assumed control of the service.
C. 
No person may operate the curb shutoff at any time except agents of the Water Department or with the written consent of said agent.
[Amended 4-19-2012 by Ord. No. 11-12]
A. 
The service beyond the curb shutoff towards the point at which water is taken is the property of and responsibility of the owner.
B. 
This portion of the service shall conform with the criteria set forth under §§ 533-12 and 533-13.
C. 
Prior to the installation of this portion of the service by the owner, the owner shall give 24 hours' advance notice to the Water Department requesting an inspection. The service shall not be backfilled without the prior approval of the installation of the pipe. All portions backfilled without approval shall be excavated for the inspector.
D. 
Installation or repairs to this portion of the service shall be by a licensed plumber at the expense of the owner.
E. 
The owner shall be responsible for the maintenance of the service line from the property line to the meter to the interior of the building and shall keep the same in good repair and protect it from damage due to frost or other cause. All leaks in the service lines shall be reported promptly to the Water Department and repaired by the owner. The owner shall be liable for water escaping from such leaks at a charge as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees, from the date said leak is discovered. If the leak persists for more than 10 consecutive days, the charge will be increased to an amount as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees. If the leak is repaired in three days or less, any charge shall be waived.
[Amended 11-13-1997 by Ord. No. 620-97; 4-19-2012 by Ord. No. 11-12[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
F. 
In the case of a frozen service pipe, no person or company shall undertake thawing the service pipe using electric current without the prior authorization of the Water Department. A Water Department inspector shall be assigned to the job, and the contractor shall pay the Water Department an amount as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees, for each hour the inspector is on the job.
[Amended 11-13-1997 by Ord. No. 620-97[2]]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
G. 
Any person doing any plumbing work in connection with the installation and maintenance of a service line shall report, within five days, to the Water Department all violations of this article and of the rules and regulations of the Water Department which come to his knowledge or attention.
H. 
Any person doing any plumbing work, as aforesaid, shall indemnify and save harmless the Township and Water Department from all accidents and damage resulting from the work, whether such work is done by him personally or under his supervision.
I. 
Direct boiler connections. Where high-pressure steam boilers or boiler feed pumps are connected directly with the service connection depending upon the pressure in the mains for supplying such boilers or pumps, without intervening tank or receptacle, a check valve shall be placed in the feedpipe in addition to the controlling valve. Neither the Township nor the Water Department shall be responsible for any accidents or damage resulting from any direct connection from any cause whatever.
J. 
Any person doing any plumbing work as aforesaid may turn on the water after the connection is completed to test out his work but shall leave the curb stop closed when he has finished the work unless specifically authorized in writing to leave it turned on by the Water Department.
[Amended by Ord. No. 324-84]
A. 
All services supplying water shall be metered except for water for certain building purposes. (See § 533-21.)
B. 
Services for standby fire protection shall be provided with a flanged combination counterbalanced check valve and a bypass with a meter. The bypass shall also have a check valve.
C. 
Meters 1 1/2 inches and smaller shall be paid for by the owner and installed by the Water Department at the same cost as to the Township.
[Amended 4-19-2012 by Ord. No. 11-12]
D. 
Meters two inches and larger shall be of a make and model designated by the Water Department, purchased by and installed by the owner.
[Amended 4-19-2012 by Ord. No. 11-12]
E. 
Meter settings shall be prepared by the owner as follows: five-eighths-inch through one-inch meters shall require a meter yoke installed by the owner and purchased from the Water Department at the same cost as to the Township.
[Amended 4-19-2012 by Ord. No. 11-12]
F. 
All meters shall be provided with remote radio devices. Homeowners must allow Water Department personnel access to the meter, with reasonable notice, during the normal business day. Any homeowner denying access to said meter will be charged an amount as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees. This charge will be waived if access is granted within three business days.
[Amended 4-19-2012 by Ord. No. 11-12[1], [2]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed original Sec. 12-1.6g, h and l of the 1986 Revised General Ordinances, regarding remote registers.
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
G. 
All meters, meter yokes, remote registers and related wiring shall be the property of the Water Department.
H. 
All water services over 75 feet long, measured from the curb shutoff to the building, shall be provided with a pit so that the meter can be placed outside the building at the point where the service crosses the property line. The pit shall be of a design approved by the Water Department.
I. 
The owner shall own and maintain the pit and shall be responsible for pumping it out if and when flooded.
J. 
The Water Department may refuse to supply water to premises wherein the plumbing work has not been done in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Township Board of Health and applicable authorities or where an applicant has not supplied a space or area acceptable for the water meter and appurtenances.
K. 
All services for domestic use shall be provided with an adjustable bronze pressure-reducing valve installed after the meter yoke. The pressure-reducing valve shall be provided by and maintained by the owner.
L. 
When an appointment is not kept by the homeowner and a repeat visit is necessitated, there will be a charge per additional visit as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees. If there is a meter reading discrepancy caused by this office, there will be no charge. However, if the meter is correct, there will be a charge as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees, for revisiting to read the meter.
[Added 11-13-1997 by Ord. No. 620-97; amended 4-19-2012 by Ord. No. 11-12[3]]
[3]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
A. 
The Water Department will periodically replace and test meters according to its own schedule.
B. 
Customers may request a test of the water meter metering their water supply by completing an application and paying the appropriate test fee. The fee must be paid in advance of the test.
C. 
Meter test fees shall be as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees.
[Amended 11-13-1997 by Ord. No. 620-97; 4-19-2012 by Ord. No. 11-12[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
D. 
If a meter is found to be registering more than two-percent fast at any rate of flow, the customer shall be entitled to an adjustment of his or her bill for the current quarter.
[Amended 4-19-2012 by Ord. No. 11-12]
E. 
If a meter is found to be accurate or registering slow, the customer shall not be entitled to a refund of the test fee.
F. 
The Water Department will reset any meter found to be accurate. In the case of an inaccurate meter, the Water Department shall replace it with an accurate meter without further tests.
[Amended 4-19-2012 by Ord. No. 11-12[1]]
A. 
It is the owner's responsibility to protect all meters, remote registers and accessories from damages or loss.
B. 
Meters damaged by frost or freezing will be replaced or repaired by the Water Department only after the Township is reimbursed for the cost of replacing or repairing the meter.
C. 
Other damage to meters shall be repaired at the building owner's expense.
D. 
Missing, stolen or lost meters shall be replaced at the costs listed in this section for new meters. The building owner shall pay this cost.
E. 
Meter tampering is a violation of this article and shall, upon conviction, result in a penalty of $1,000 for the first offense, $2,500 and up to five days in jail for the second offense, and $5,000 and up to 30 days in jail for the third offense.
F. 
Tampering with the curb box or transmission equipment of the water meter reading system is a violation and shall, upon conviction, result in a penalty of $1,000 for the first offense, $2,500 and up to five days in jail for the second offense, and $5,000 and up to 30 days in jail for the third offense.
G. 
All plumbers must have prior written approval from the Water Department to restore water flow to the home. The failure to have written approval is a violation of this article and shall, upon conviction, result in a penalty of $1,000 for the first offense, $2,500 and up to five days in jail for the second offense, and $5,000 and up to 30 days in jail for the third offense.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
[Amended by Ord. No. 324-84]
A. 
All persons desiring the use of water shall make application to the Water Department. This specifically includes new owners of a premises. Service may be discontinued until an application is filed.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Sec. 12-1.9b of the 1986 Revised General Ordinances, which pertained to the installation of remote registers and immediately followed this subsection, was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
B. 
Water service charge.
(1) 
Every owner of improved or unimproved property (residential, commercial or industrial) which is connected to the Township's public water system, or which has available to it a curb connection (service line from main to curb shutoff valve) installed for the purpose of permitting the building to be so connected, shall pay a quarterly water service charge, based upon the size of the service line (from the main to the curb stop valve shutoff), as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees.
[Amended 3-21-1991 by Ord. No. 453-91; 10-5-2000 by Ord. No. 11-00; 3-15-2007 by Ord. No. 4-07[2]]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
(2) 
Every owner of improved property (residential, commercial or industrial) which has available to it water service from the Township public water system, where no curb connection has as yet been installed, shall pay a service charge as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees, notwithstanding the fact that the owner has not connected to the system.
[Amended 3-21-1991 by Ord. No. 453-91; 2-4-2016 by Ord. No. 01-16]
(3) 
Every owner of unimproved property (whether zoned for residential, commercial or industrial use) which has available to it water service from the Township public water system, where no curb connection has as yet been installed, shall pay a service charge as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees.
[Amended 3-21-1991 by Ord. No. 453-91; 2-4-2016 by Ord. No. 01-16]
(4) 
For purposes of assessing this water service charge, pursuant to Subsection B(2) and (3) of this section, public water service shall be deemed available to the property in question if a main is located within the right-of-way line of the public street upon which the subject property fronts, or has as its side or rear property line the public street right-of-way line, or within 60 feet measured at right angles from the closest property line of the subject parcel [a separate tax lot entity as defined below in Subsection B(5)]. However, public water service shall not be deemed available to a property fronting or bordering upon Route 46 if the only water main available to serve such property is located on the opposite side of Route 46 from such property.
(5) 
In assessing the quarterly service charge against unimproved property in accordance with Subsection B(3) above of this section, a quarterly service charge shall be assessed against each lot, parcel or tract of land taxed as a separate tax entity with its own tax lot and block designation on the current tax records of the Township.
C. 
Water use (consumption) charges. In addition to the water service charge to be charged to each property connected to the Township public water system, or with respect to which the Township's water service is available, each owner of property connected to the Township public water system shall pay a quarterly use (consumption) charge calculated at the rate set forth in Chapter 235, Fees.
[Amended 3-21-1991 by Ord. No. 453-91; 10-5-2000 by Ord. No. 11-00; 3-15-2007 by Ord. No. 4-07; 2-4-2016 by Ord. No. 01-16]
D. 
The owner of any property against which a water service charge or a water (use) consumption charge is assessed shall be liable for the payment of such charges as well as all charges and expenses assessed pursuant hereto in connection with providing such property with Township public water or making such public water available to the property, including the installation, repair and testing of any water meter and the making of water service connections, theretofore or hereafter furnished or performed by the Mine Hill Water Department.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: Original Sec. 12-1.9f of the 1986 Revised General Ordinances, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 2-4-2016 by Ord. No. 01-16.
E. 
Payment for the use and consumption of water and for all other fees and charges incurred shall be paid to the Mine Hill Water Department.
F. 
Payment of water bill; discontinuation of service.
(1) 
All bills for charges assessed pursuant to this section shall be payable quarterly in the first month following the end of the quarter. If bills are not paid within the first month following the end of the quarter, interest shall accrue at the rate of 8% per annum from the last day of the quarter.
(2) 
If bills are not paid within 60 days after the due date for the respective quarter, the water service shall be discontinued ("turned off") and shall remain turned off until the total amount due, including interest, plus a turn-off-turn-on charge as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees, shall have been paid.
[Amended 2-4-2016 by Ord. No. 01-16]
(3) 
Charges under this section levied upon the primary residence of a person who is enlisted in any branch of the United States Armed Forces shall be abated during the period of time in which that person is deployed in active service in time of war.
[Added 3-2-2017 by Ord. No. 03-17]
G. 
Unless the applicant for the water service specified otherwise, all bills and notices will be mailed or delivered to the premises where the water service is supplied. If the applicant so desires, the Water Department will mail the bills and notices to the business or home address of the owner, customer or his agent. Bills and notices will be mailed through ordinary United States mail service, and if not received, the consumer shall obtain them from the Water Department. Failure to receive bills or notices shall not excuse the nonpayment of water bills.
[Added 8-18-1988 by Ord. No. 408-88]
A. 
No developer shall utilize any water from the water system of the Township of Mine Hill unless the developer pays the Township of Mine Hill a sum as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees, for use of a water meter and yolk, plus an installation and service fee as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees.
[Amended 2-4-2016 by Ord. No. 01-16]
B. 
Each developer shall also pay the water consumption charge for all water used by the developer.
[Amended 11-13-1997 by Ord. No. 620-97; 4-19-2012 by Ord. No. 11-12; 2-4-2016 by Ord. No. 01-16]
The following fees shall be charged for the services set forth:
A. 
Service line inspection from curb stop to house. The fee for inspection of trenches and pipe on private property shall be as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees.
B. 
Voluntary discontinuance of service.
(1) 
The turn-off-and-on charge for weekdays shall be as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees (two visits).
(2) 
The turn-on-and-off charge after 3:30 p.m., weekdays, and all day on holidays and weekends shall be as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees (two visits).
A. 
Persons desiring water for building purposes may apply for same at the Water Department office.
B. 
The fee for one- and two-family residences shall be as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
C. 
Water for construction of multifamily, industrial business or other nonresidential structures shall be by meter. The meter shall be obtained through compliance with other applicable sections of this article and shall be installed in a pit.
D. 
The contractor or builder shall make every effort to avoid waste of water.
E. 
The service and meter shall be protected from frost or freezing.
F. 
Water shall not be taken from fire hydrants for building purposes. Doing so shall be considered tampering with transmission equipment.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
A. 
In the case of prolonged scarcity of water from any cause, the Water Department reserves the right, upon public notice, to have the use of water suspended or restricted, but not in limitation thereof, for the following purposes: lawn or garden sprinkling, swimming pools, air-conditioning purposes and car washing.
B. 
Water services may be discontinued upon such notice as shall be reasonable or practicable for any of the following reasons:
(1) 
For the use of water for any properties or purposes other than those permitted in this article or described in the application.
(2) 
For willful waste of water through improper, defective or imperfect pipes, fixtures or otherwise.
(3) 
For failure to maintain, in good order, connections, service lines or fixtures owned by the consumer.
(4) 
For molesting or tampering with any service pipe, meter, curb stop, or seal, or any other appliances of the Water Department.
(5) 
For refusal of access at reasonable hours for purposes of inspecting or for installing, reading, maintaining fixtures, pipes and meters.
(6) 
For nonpayment of bills, rents, charges or fees or for penalties imposed or for any other reason causing or tending to cause a loss to the Water Department.
(7) 
Failure to decrease or limit the use of water when requested by the Water Department.
(8) 
For violation of any section relating to the use and distribution of water.
(9) 
For misrepresentation in the application for water service respecting the property to be served or the fixtures to be supplied or the use to be made of the water.
(10) 
At the discretion of the Water Department when the premises become vacant.
C. 
The Water Department reserves the right to shut off water service without notice, in case of technical defects or for other unavoidable cause, or for the purpose of making necessary repairs, connection or other alterations to the water distribution system.
D. 
In no case shall water be turned on again until the defects have been remedied and all bills due and charges or penalties and fees imposed have been paid. The owner of the premises shall also be liable for any loss sustained by the Water Department as the result of such defects.
E. 
Should the occupant of the premises turn on the water or suffer or cause it to be turned on after it has been shut off at the curb by the Water Department, it shall be shut off again, the curb stop shall be sealed, and a charge as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees, shall be made for the expense of shutting off the curb stop and turning it on again.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
F. 
Neither the Water Department nor the Township shall be held liable for any damage which may be claimed due to the failure of or any restriction of the water supplied, or from low or high pressure, or damage due to water quality.
G. 
Owners of vacant buildings or a building that is about to be vacated shall give at least five days' notice that such buildings are about to become vacant to the Water Department so that water may be shut off, and the owners will be responsible for the water charges until such notice is given. The notice shall give the date the water is to be turned off and shall be in writing.
H. 
When requested by the owner or his agents, the Water Department shall discontinue service to a property either temporarily or permanently. A turn-off-and-turn-on charge as set forth herein shall be made when the service is restored, but in no event shall water be turned on until all water charges have been paid.
I. 
No adjustments of water charges due to failure of the Water Department to discontinue or restore water service shall be made unless the request for discontinuance or restoration is in writing and duly filed with the Water Department.
J. 
When turning on the water supply as requested and the house or property is vacant, the Water Department will not accomplish the same unless in the presence of the occupant or owner. If the owner or occupant is not present, the water will be left shut off at the curb stop. The Water Department's jurisdiction and responsibility ends at the curb stop, and the Water Department will in no case be liable for damages occasioned by water running from open or faulty fixtures or from broken or damaged pipes beyond the Water Department's curb stop.
K. 
Where connections are abandoned, the owner of the premises or applicant shall pay for having same shut off and plugged at the curb stop or corporation stop, at the option of the Water Department, before a new connection will be installed to said premises.
L. 
Where persons or contractors are making improvements, etc., necessitating excavations in streets wherein water mains and service connections are laid, requiring the water mains and service connections to be cut and refitted, lowered or raised, etc., these persons or contractors shall make written request to the Water Department to make such changes and shall furnish a satisfactory guarantee, as determined by the Water Department, to the Water Department insuring the payment of all costs incurred by the Water Department in making the changes necessary or required to be made.
M. 
The Water Department shall not be liable for any damages resulting from the bursting or breaking of any main or service pipe.
[Amended by Ord. No. 324-84]
A. 
No person shall take water from any fire hydrant except for the use of a recognized fire company, and no fire hydrant shall be used for sprinkling the street, flushing sewers or gutter, or for any other purpose without authorization of the Water Department.
B. 
The Chief or the Chiefs of the Fire Company and his or their assistant officers are authorized to use the public fire hydrants for the purpose of extinguishing fires. Such use shall be under the supervision and direction of the Chief or Chiefs or his assistant officers, and in no event shall an inexperienced or an incompetent person be permitted to manipulate or control in any way any fire hydrant.
C. 
The location of a fire hydrant may, upon written request, be changed with the approval of the Water Department, and the estimated cost of making such change shall be paid for by the applicant in advance. No hydrant will be moved which will increase existing insurance rates.
D. 
The location and setting of new fire hydrants shall be made in conformity with the requirements and recommendations of the Insurance Service Offices of New Jersey or successors thereof.
E. 
No person shall in any manner obstruct or prevent free access to or tamper with or injure or damage by causing or permitting a vehicle to come in contact with any fire hydrant or place or store temporarily or otherwise any object, material, snow, debris or structure of any kind within a distance of 10 feet from any fire hydrant. Any such obstruction, when discovered, may be removed at once by the Water Department at the expense of the person responsible for the obstruction, and he shall be liable to a fine as herein provided. Repair of damage to the hydrant shall be charged to the person responsible.
F. 
The Water Department shall not be liable for a deficiency or failure in the supply of water for the control or suppression of fires from any cause.
G. 
The property owner of the property closest to a particular fire hydrant shall keep all brush, grass, weeds and other natural growth cut around and in the vicinity of such hydrant to assure ready access to such hydrant at all times and also to permit the hydrant to be readily visible from the road upon which such hydrant fronts at all times.
[Amended by Ord. No. 324-84]
A. 
When it is practical, private fire service connections may be allowed for hydrants on private property, for which a flat rate or meter rate will be charged as set forth herein, subject to special contract and special rules and regulations governing such service as may be determined by the Water Department.
B. 
All private fire hydrants shall be installed at the sole cost of the applicant, subject to approval of the type, size and installation thereof by the Water Department.
C. 
All private fire hydrants shall be subject to use by the Fire Department for the control and suppression of fires, whether on the property of the applicant or not.
D. 
All private fire hydrants and all facilities installed shall be maintained by the persons receiving the benefit thereof under the supervision of the Water Department.
E. 
The service charge for private fire hydrants, whether connected to a fire line or on a separate connection, shall be as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
F. 
All sections dealing with public fire hydrants shall also apply to private fire hydrants.
A. 
All mains shall be installed within the boundaries of public roads, streets or rights-of-way or, where such streets and roads have not yet been accepted by the Township, within the boundaries of roads and streets laid out in compliance with all ordinances of the Township.
B. 
The installation of water mains in any street, lane, road, etc., by the Township or by others shall not imply Township ownership or acceptance of such street, lane, road, etc., unless and until they otherwise comply with Township requirements for acceptance, ownership and maintenance and are accepted by the Township.
C. 
The cost of installation of water mains and fire hydrants in any existing street, lane, road, etc., may be assessed in whole or in part against property owners, including real estate developers, benefited by such extension.
D. 
All water mains, hydrants and associated facilities, such as booster pumps, pressure tanks, service lines, curb stops, curb boxes, and valves, as required by the Water Department on new or proposed streets, shall be installed and paid for by the real estate developers or builders, and ownership thereof shall be transferred to the Township when such installation meets with the approval of the Water Department. Prior to any such acceptance, it shall be necessary for the real estate developer or builder extending the water system as herein provided to submit to the Water Department a detailed map and acceptable detailed engineering drawing indicating the location of the controls as well as the depth of the subsurface lines and controls by acceptable engineering detailed drawings.
E. 
The Water Department shall specify the type, size and location of all mains, hydrants, booster stations, pressure tanks, etc., on all new extensions, and the entire system is subject to inspection and approval by the Water Department and is to be tested under the Water Department's supervision before backfilling.
F. 
If an existing main adjoins a property in a real estate development and is of sufficient capacity for the additional amount of water required for said development, the charges for connecting the existing main to the mains of said development shall be set by the Township Council. If the capacity of the existing mains is not adequate to supply the additional amount of water to be used in said development, the developer shall be responsible for the installation of a suitable main and other necessary equipment which may be installed only after review. Extension of a new main shall not be undertaken unless and until the developer responsible for the same shall have entered into an agreement with the Township, which shall include the terms and conditions relative to the method and cost of installation and other matters incidental to any such extension.
G. 
Installation of new water mains in major subdivision tracts developed for residential, industrial, commercial and research use shall in all cases conform to the requirements of the Subdivision Ordinance[1] and the applicable rules and regulations of this article.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 310, Land Use, of this Code.
H. 
Limited main extensions other than in major subdivision developments between the applicant and the Township or as part of the Township's extension program may be made on the basis of individual application and shall be in accordance with the agreement between the applicant and the Township. In such case, however, the applicants or applicant to be served shall pay the entire cost of such extension. Such extension shall not be authorized until the plans and method of installation as well as the location of the same is submitted to the Township Council for approval. The submission of the planned extension shall contain within the specification submitted a detail map prepared by a licensed professional engineer indicating the location of the main extension and the appurtenances thereto. Any such limited main extensions shall be subject to all of the rules, regulations and requirements of the provisions of this article relating to extension to or changes in existing mains in the Township.
I. 
The conditions for extension of a water main shall be as follows:
(1) 
A service shall be installed by the developer to each lot with a dwelling unit along the route of the proposed extension, whether or not the lot is the property of the developer. The developer shall be compensated by the Water Department for each service installed to such properties. This compensation shall be equal to 75% of the appropriate service fee as given in § 533-12F, plus $100 for excavating and paving. This compensation shall be paid by the Water Department after satisfactory completion of the entire project. These services shall not be subject to the inspection fee given in Subsection J.
(2) 
Hydrants shall be installed along the proposed extension as directed by the Township Engineer, whether within the development or not. For each hydrant installed outside of the limits of the development, the Water Department shall pay the $500 for each hydrant so installed.
J. 
Inspection fees for all main extensions by developers shall be as set forth in Chapter 235, Fees.
[Amended 2-4-2016 by Ord. No. 01-16]
[Amended 11-13-1997 by Ord. No. 620-97]
All Water Department employees, after showing proper identification, shall be entitled to access to the premises connected to the water system for the purpose of reading or installing meters and/or related equipment or inspecting plumbing between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., except for emergencies when access is to be provided as needed.
A. 
It shall be mandatory for all owners of improved property to install a service line connecting the principal building upon the property to the main forming a part of the Mine Hill public water system where such main is either located within the right-of-way of a street upon which the property fronts or borders or is otherwise within 60 feet measured at right angles from the closest property line of the subject property, and where the service connection line (including that portion of such service line located between the main and the curb shutoff valve) will not be more than 200 feet in length. However, public water service shall not be deemed available and connection to the public water system shall not be required if the property in question fronts or borders on Route 46 and the only water main available to serve such property is located on the opposite side of Route 46 from such property.
B. 
In the event the owner has title to more than one contiguous lot (tract or parcel) designated as separate tax entities on the current tax records of the Township for the purpose of this mandatory connection, all such contiguous lots (tracts) in the same ownership shall be deemed to be a single parcel.
C. 
Connections shall be commenced by the owner within 90 days after receipt of written notice from the Township advising the owner that the main is in place and operational and he/she is required to connect. All work shall be completed and the service connection line installed within 150 days of the receipt of such notice directing connection to the main.
D. 
The owner shall in all respects comply with all the terms and provisions of this article regarding such a connection to the Mine Hill public water system.
E. 
A property owner who has written documentation of a new well or pump installed within 12 months of the receipt of a mandatory connection notice may have a grace period of up to three years to complete this water connection provided that the connection fee is paid and that minimum quarterly usage fees must be paid during this period.
[Added 9-20-2018 by Ord. No. 16-18]
Any person, owner, consumer or other person who shall violate any of the provisions of this article or fail to comply therewith or with any requirements thereof or who shall violate or fail to comply with any order or rule made under this article and any property owner, consumer, corporation or other persons who may be employed to assist in the commission of any such violation or violations shall be, upon conviction thereof, liable to the penalty in § 1-3 of the Code of the Township of Mine Hill.
[Added 3-22-1984 by Ord. No. 324-84]
A. 
Nonenforcement by the Township shall not waive the obligation of the owner, occupant, customer or consumer to comply in full with this article.
B. 
The Township shall review the water rates on a yearly basis.